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Monday, June 4, 2012

What to Do If You Are Aware of Child Abuse

First lets define child abuse:

The child welfare information gateway defines it as such:

Physical abuse is nonaccidental physical injury (ranging from minor
bruises to severe fractures or death) as a result of punching, beating,
kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand,
stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child, that is
inflicted by a parent, caregiver, or other person who has responsibility for
the child.2 Such injury is considered abuse
regardless of whether the caregiver intended to hurt the child. Physical
discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it
is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child.

Neglect is
the failure of a parent, guardian, or other caregiver to provide for a child's
basic needs. Neglect may be:

Educational (e.g., failure to
educate a child or attend to special education needs)

Emotional (e.g., inattention to
a child's emotional needs, failure to provide psychological care, or
permitting the child to use alcohol or other drugs)

These situations do not always mean a child is neglected.
Sometimes cultural values, the standards of care in the community, and poverty
may be contributing factors, indicating the family is in need of information or
assistance. When a family fails to use information and resources, and the
child's health or safety is at risk, then child welfare intervention may be
required. In addition, many States provide an exception to the definition of
neglect for parents who choose not to seek medical care for their children due
to religious beliefs that may prohibit medical intervention.4

Sexual abuse includes
activities by a parent or caregiver such as fondling a child's genitals,
penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through
prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.Sexual abuse is
defined by CAPTA as "the employment, use, persuasion, inducement,
enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person
to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for
the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or the rape, and
in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape,
molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or
incest with children."

Emotional abuse (or psychological abuse) is a pattern of behavior that
impairs a child's emotional development or sense of self-worth. This may
include constant criticism, threats, or rejection, as well as withholding love,
support, or guidance. Emotional abuse is often difficult to prove and,
therefore, child protective services may not be able to intervene without
evidence of harm or mental injury to the child. Emotional abuse is almost
always present when other forms are identified.

Abandonment is
now defined in many States as a form of neglect. In general, a child is
considered to be abandoned when the parent's identity or whereabouts are
unknown, the child has been left alone in circumstances where the child suffers
serious harm, or the parent has failed to maintain contact with the child or
provide reasonable support for a specified period of time.

Substance abuse is an element of the definition of child abuse or neglect
in many States.5 Circumstances that are considered abuse
or neglect in some States include:

Prenatal exposure of a child to
harm due to the mother's use of an illegal drug or other substance

Manufacture of methamphetamine
in the presence of a child

Selling, distributing, or
giving illegal drugs or alcohol to a child

Use of a controlled substance
by a caregiver that impairs the caregiver's ability to adequately care for
the child

Now if this is happening to someone you
know you must call child protective services. Each county has their own child
protective services (this may vary in outside of the USA). Call the county that
the child is being abused in.

You will need to know:

The age of the child

The first and last name

The first and last name of the child’s
abuser

The address of the child

What school the child goes to

Phone number of child’s parents

Date of abusive events

If you do not have all of this information,
still call. Give them what you do know. Also note that it is confidential when you
report. No one will share who reported the abuse.

For my local readers, here is the
contact info for child protective services in our local counties.

If you suspect child abuse please do not look the other way. Call child protective services. Many people do not know what to do so they do not call. Share this article so not knowing what to do is never an excuse to allow child abuse to continue!

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About Me

Katie Saint graduated from Lakeland College with a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Katie is dual certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed, Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Katie is both an author and a therapist. Katie specializes in extreme behavioral problems. She provides individual, couple, pre-marital, and family counseling to children, adolescents and adults. Katie utilizes trauma informed care.
Katie has over 10 years working with adults, children and adolescents on the Autism Spectrum. She also offers an emotional control program for adolescents and adults struggling with impulsive behavior or emotional regulation. Katie utilizes a variety of therapeutic techniques including the combination of behavioral, cognitive and psychoanalytic tools. Katie works with clients at many stages in life; relational problems, transitioning through divorce, working through ADHD, PTSD, anxiety and depression, grieving a loved one, and other life stressors. Katie focuses on helping clients recognize and build on their own strengths to meet their personal goals.